Hurricane Sandy

[Twoapenny]

Hoping my American friends are okay.  Sending love and light.  Hoping everyone's alright xx

[sKePTiKal]

We're good in the Outer Banks, Penny. Messy... but good!

[BonesMS]

Still cleaning up in my neck of the woods.

Bones

[Twoapenny]

Glad to hear from you!  Pics and info coming to the UK are just awful.  We always moan about the weather here but we're very lucky not to get the extreme storms that hit the States.  Glad you're okay

[BonesMS]

Glad to hear from you!  Pics and info coming to the UK are just awful.  We always moan about the weather here but we're very lucky not to get the extreme storms that hit the States.  Glad you're okay

Thanks, Tupp!

Between the earthquake of August 23, 2011, the Derecho that came through June 29, 2012, and now the Frankenstorm.....makes me wonder, what's next?!?

Bones

[KayZee]

Hooray!  Internet and electricity back after two days of cold darkness!  Cell phones are still out, but I kind of like that.  It's sort of peaceful to be off the grid. 

Glad everyone is okay.  I'm off to put on a pot of hot tea (finally!) and let the kids watch Disney movies to their hearts content.

Kay x

[Twoapenny]

Glad to hear from you!  Pics and info coming to the UK are just awful.  We always moan about the weather here but we're very lucky not to get the extreme storms that hit the States.  Glad you're okay

Thanks, Tupp!

Between the earthquake of August 23, 2011, the Derecho that came through June 29, 2012, and now the Frankenstorm.....makes me wonder, what's next?!?

Bones

I know, Mother Nature likes to show she's boss at times.  The devastation is huge.  Glad you're okay xx

[Twoapenny]

Hooray!  Internet and electricity back after two days of cold darkness!  Cell phones are still out, but I kind of like that.  It's sort of peaceful to be off the grid. 

Glad everyone is okay.  I'm off to put on a pot of hot tea (finally!) and let the kids watch Disney movies to their hearts content.

Kay x

Aargh, cold and dark is horrible!  Glad it's all back on now.  Makes you realise how reliant we are on other things now   Hope the kids enjoyed their films xx

[sKePTiKal]

Penny - it is bad. People have lost their homes, in more cases than normal -- because the storm still isn't over. Cleveland Ohio had to shut down a highway because of 20 ft wave in Lake Erie; folks were surfing on Lake Michigan in Chicago. It might even still be snowing in West Virginia - ski resorts are opening a month early! What so unusual about this storm is how large it is - that's the reason tt & I had 4-5 days of going through the storm. When it made landfall, it moved like an express high speed train, comparatively. Even with effects from the storm, 1000 miles away, we're still getting showers and it's still breezier than normal. The sun is out tho.

The hardest part for me, is realizing that the folks in the big cities haven't dealt with something like this within living memory. Because it's a "new" situation to them, it's going to be difficult especially as the weather gets colder this winter. Many won't realize that it will take a year or so, to get to "normal". Some, it won't take so long.

This is the reason why people have emergency kits: flashlights and fresh batteries, lanterns, camp stoves/grills, first aid kits, a week's worth of canned food, 3 gals/water per person per day. No matter where one lives, it's "better safe than sorry" to take care of yourself and plan for things like this, because help might not get to you right away.

[Dr. Richard Grossman]

Thanks, Twoapenny.  Feeling our house shake from the 70 mph gusts when the storm center was 300 miles away was an awe inspiring experience.  How small we sometimes are!  My heart goes out to those who lost loved ones and property.

Richard

[BonesMS]

Glad to hear from you!  Pics and info coming to the UK are just awful.  We always moan about the weather here but we're very lucky not to get the extreme storms that hit the States.  Glad you're okay

Thanks, Tupp!

Between the earthquake of August 23, 2011, the Derecho that came through June 29, 2012, and now the Frankenstorm.....makes me wonder, what's next?!?

Bones

I know, Mother Nature likes to show she's boss at times.  The devastation is huge.  Glad you're okay xx

Thanks, Tupp!

[Hopalong]

Thanks, Tupp...unscathed where I live, but poor NY, NJ and all the other places.

If there can ever be a sliver lining when there's loss of life, for me it is that the
discussion of climate change denial is back on the table. I have prayed for that
because growing contempt for science (and disregard for nature) have made me fear
our country has lost its reason. Some kinds of cynicism or superiority-confused-for-accuracy
won't change but I think more people are awakening.

xo
Hops

[debkor]

I live in PA. I lived in NJ and watched my town go out in row boats. My S lives in NJ but came home for the storm.  I have family and friends In all three States..NY,NJ, PA.

We were hit but not even close to NY or NJ.  I lost a fence, both sides, and a front door of kids fort.  I was about as prepared as you could get and ready to go ...if I had to go. 

I banned together with neighbor's...watch backs..some of their husbands were first responders  so they held home (alone with children).   We did not lose electric although many, many, did and still have none.

I opened my doors, water, food, heat, shower's....smash yourself in. 

My H's job is still down.

We have NY and NJ here for shelter, gas, food and gas stations are running out of gas or have very long lines.  They are having to be policed because of fights.

It is what it is......Sandy kicked Ass ....And we must have compassion for other's.  I have an intact home, family and friends are safe.  I am grateful.  That is not the case for everyone. 

My heart goes out and I don't mind waiting... 

For the most part I find people to be So Very Human and can't do enough to help another...  Very kind people and when someone gets (fired up) due to power outage, loss of work, cold...they remember ....Other's. 

We all need to remember kindness and compassion.   I can say....It's huge and infectious.  That is my experience.  Come in get warm, free coffee, charge your phones...hugs, tears, climbing over trees, people letting other's use their generator's for frig, heat....

There are so many Good Compassionate People in this World!!

Deb

 

[Hopalong]

And you are one of them, Deb...

a light to all around you.

I am so glad you're okay.

You are a human hearth.

love,
Hops

[Twoapenny]

I'm glad everyone is doing okay and Deb you are right, there are many, many good people around.  Most can empathise and offer what they can.  For a long time my world was one of people who were out for themselves.  It's nice to know it isn't like that for everybody

Hopsie, you may be right. I hope more people think about it and make changes where they can.

Phoenix, what you say about people not being used to coping without power etc is so right.  I remember a friend of mine talking about a big storm in their area and all the power going out.  It was dark, very cold and there were a row of bungalows at the end of their road that were for elderly people.  They went down to see if they were all okay - and do you know what, they were coping the best because they grew up in houses that didn't have heating, they baked and planned ahead and could make a meal out of a few scraps in the cupboard, they were used to being careful and doing without because they all had small incomes and had to be careful.  Much hardier than many of us now.